Monday, December 14, 2009

Monday afternoon quick-hitter

Q: How does the catching situation look with an injured Salty? Will he be ready for the season? Is there money to sign a veteran catcher like John Buck?A: We made Buck an offer but Toronto offered him more, and they were able to guarantee him the starting job. We're still looking at other options for catching depth.

More cold water on the Angels trade scenario (at least, involving Napoli/Mathis - in which case....is there really a deal to be made?), or simply a matter of a GM saying what he needs to in order to acquire a player's services?

I doubt they actually "guaranteed" Buck the starting job, and if they did, they were probably lying. We still have 4 months of offseason left to go... it's be ridiculous to guarantee almost anybody a starting job at this point, on any team, let alone this one. I think I remember Johnny Mac being guaranteed the starting job when he signed his two-year deal before the '08 season, before it was handed to Eckstein.

I'm obviously just trying to convince myself an Angels deal isn't in the offing. Obviously.

Like I said, I know it's just bullshit management talk to get the guy to sign the contract, but kind of a curious way for AA to start the "we want to make this an organization where people want to play" era, no?

"Hey Buck, you're our guy. Guaranteed."

(2 months later)

"Yo Buck, you'll see some AB against LHP when the Napster needs a rest, deal?"

....actually, since The Manager is returning.....all bets are off regardless of who might be acquired before now & April.

If the Jays were seriously considering the Angels offer, why would they have just signed 2 catchers and 2 shortstops? Add to the fact that the Angels don't have any high ceiling players involved in any of the reported offers, I find it unlikely that southern California the destination for Halladay.